Home security is highly important for keeping both your home and your family safe. However, many homeowners fail to realize the importance of their front door locks. Here are three tips about them that a locksmith would give you. You Need a Locksmith to Install Deadbolts: Whenever you have the front door replaced by a contractor, you should consider hiring a locksmith separately to install the deadbolt. This is because locksmiths know how to properly secure deadbolts. Deadbolts that aren’t properly installed can lead to a burglar being able to easily break in by kicking in the door or picking the lock. To prevent this, a locksmith will ensure that the deadbolt has a security plate to keep it in place, as well as screws that are at least three inches in length to hold the security plate and deadbolt lock in place. Screws that are shorter than this allow the door to easily be kicked in since the deadbolt lock will easily shift out of place. You Shouldn’t Have Windows Around Your Front Door: Having a window near your front door is a security issue because it allows a burglar to break the glass in order to unlock the deadbolt on the door. If you want a window by your door or you cannot afford to have the window currently in place covered up, then you should consider having a locksmith replace the deadbolt lock with a cylinder lock. These locks are more secure because you have to use a key to open it from both the inside and the outside of the home. Just be sure to keep the key away from the front door. Handle a Stuck Key Effectively: If your key is jammed in the lock of your front door, don’t try and remove it by force. This can only cause the key to become misshaped and the lock to become more damaged. In most cases, you only need to lubricate the lock to get the key unstuck since it’s most likely trapped by dirt and other debris inside of the keyhole. You can lubricate the area with WD-40, which may be able to allow you to slide the key back out easily. If not, it’s at this point that you want to hire a locksmith who will be able to get the key out with specific tools that won’t cause any further damage. Call a locksmith, like Migoley Stephen K, for more help. When you consider these three tips for home security, you can be sure that your home is well protected, at least by the front entrance where most burglars...

If there is one thing that can get your interests piqued and the curiosities swarming, it is happening upon a hidden wall safe in your home that you had no idea was there. The first safes were created in 1835 as basic lockable boxes where people could protect their valuables from thieves, but the safe quickly grew from a basic strongbox design to ideas that were much more elaborate. Safes were often times implemented into a home during construction and could be completely hidden. If you find an antiquated combination wall or floor safe in your home, there is no doubt that you are going to want to get inside. There are a few things you should know about trying to open an outdated combination wall safe. Don’t go at the safe with a blow torch. You’ve probably seen crooks do it in movies a thousand times. While seamlessly making their way into a safe, they cut through the metal with a blow torch and get right in. However, in real life, this is not all that plausible. Unless you have some type of industrial torch that has the ability to produce a cutting flame that is thousands of degrees, all you’re really going to do is overheat the door and possibly injure yourself in the process. Forget trying to drill your way through the lock. Your first inclination when you discover a wall safe with a combination lock may be to just damage the lock itself and you should be able to open the door. Unfortunately, if you try to drill a hole through the combination lock that you see on the outside of the safe, you’re really not accomplishing anything except damaging the rotary turning mechanism that controls the lock plates and the safe will be that much harder to get open. Don’t expect to crack the safe with a stethoscope. You get the house completely quiet and sit with a stethoscope pressed against the wall safe as you turn the dial of the combination lock to listen for clicks which will tell you that you have hit a right number. While this is a possible safe-hacking technique, it rarely is as easy as it sounds. Not only are the clicks very faint and hard to hear, some safes will make no noise at all when the right number is hit on the combination dial. If you have found a safe in your house hiding out in a wall, it is always best to contact a professional locksmith or safe technician, like one at Arapahoe County Security Center...

All of the pockets, key hooks, backpacks, and handbags cannot stop people from losing their keys. Regardless of how many times you remember where you put your keys, all it takes is one misstep to lose them for good. Attempting to retrace all of your steps in an effort to find your keys may end up costing you hours of valuable time, so it is sometimes best to cut your losses and come up with a better solution. Instead of just carrying your keys around, you can use a keychain with functional additions. Tracking Device It is almost inevitable that you will misplace your keys in your house, in your car, or at work at some point in time. Instead of trying to think of where you last put them, you can add a tracking device to your keychain that prevents you from having to stress about not having your keys on hand. Many of these trackers have mobile applications that you must use for proper tracking. So, a good idea is to see which apps are the highest rated and compatible with your phone and then find the trackers for them. Multi-Tool Whether you want a simple or complex multi-tool is up to you, but you can get either one to put on a keychain. Having a way to open bottles or gain the functions of a screwdriver can come in handy at times. Before buying one, you should think about where you are most likely to keep your keychain as you may not want a bulky multi-tool if you will not be able to fit it into a small place like your pants pockets. Flashlight This kind of device is the perfect thing to have on your keychain and with you at all times. But, since a lot of pressure can get put on your keychain while it is inside your pocket or on your travels as a whole, you should avoid plastic models as they are more likely to suffer permanent damage. Copper is another common material that you will find with keychain flashlights, but this metal is rather heavy. An excellent alternative is aluminum flashlights, which weigh less than a third of what copper does. This will help you have a functional keychain with multiple add-ons, but without feeling like you are carrying a ton. You will also benefit from getting an LED keychain light, which give off full power as soon as you turn the light on. Getting a replacement key is a necessity, but putting it on a keychain along with some additions...

Creating a safe home for your kids is likely one of your top priorities. Home security that grows with your children and your family is a must. The following tips can help you create a secure home. Tip #1: Prevent wandering No matter how vigilant you are, small children can manage to slip by undetected. While usually this isn’t a concern inside the home, it can quickly become a nightmare if they manage to get out the front door. The way to avoid this problem is to have locks installed that your child can’t reach to operate. This can be as simple as having the deadbolt installed near the top third of the door instead of right above the doorknob. There are also interior locks, such as flap locks, that can be installed high up on the door and that are difficult for young kids to operate. Just make sure you are well versed on how they are used in case you need to open the door quickly in an emergency. Tip #2: Secure the windows A tumble from a second floor or high window can be fatal. Window locks can prevent a child from pushing open a window and falling out. These locks go beyond the simple thumb locks that are on most home windows. They are installed on the track and they require a key to open. Another option is to have security grates installed over the windows, which can be helpful if you have your windows open often. You may also want to consider having window alarms installed, which make a noise if the window is opened. This can alert you to any issues, whether it is a child opening a window or an intruder trying to get in. The alarms can be deactivated when you want to open a window. Tip #3: Have an alarm installed A security alarm serves many purposes in a house with children. Even young children can be taught how to use the emergency call button. This can empower your toddler or preschooler to call for help if something should occur to the parent. The alarm can also be used to monitor known hazards in and around the home, such as by placing an alarm on a swimming pool or on the door to a room that isn’t safe for the child. As your child grows and matures, you can teach them how to operate the alarm so they are secure in the home when you are away. Talk to a locksmith, such as Fradon Lock Co Inc, about installing these or other...

Many modern vehicles are started with a special type of key known as a transponder key. Some vehicle owners, however, may not be totally familiar with this fairly recent piece of technology. The following article is a basic guide to transponder keys and some of the issues surrounding their use. How It Works A transponder key works differently from a standard key because it has a transponder chip in the plastic part of the key just above the blade. The chip sends out a signal that a receiver inside your ignition must recognize. If the receiver does not recognize this signal the car will not start, regardless of whether the key fits in the ignition. The Purpose Transponder keys came onto the market in response to auto thefts. In particular, the keys make it extremely difficult for a thief to “hot wire” a car. Hot wiring is a method of starting vehicles without a key by connecting certain ignition wires. Even when theses wires are connected or wired together, however, a vehicle that uses a transponder key will not start because the receiver in the car does not get the signal it requires to turn over the engine. Cost Although transponder keys decrease the likelihood that a vehicle will be stolen, one negative aspect is that they are considerably more expensive than standard keys. Transponder keys can easily cost hundreds of dollars, a significant expense compared to low-cost standard keys. For this reason, losing a transponder key can be costly, especially if you obtain your replacement key from a dealer. One good idea to save some of the expense of buying a replacement transponder key is to check with a local locksmith. They may be able to provide you with a new key for much less than a dealership. Keep in mind that if you are just looking for an extra key to unlock the doors and trunk, you do not need a transponder key. A standard key is fine as long as you do not need it to start the engine. Retrofit If you have an older model car with no transponder system or a car that does not use a transponder key for any reason, you may want to consider having the vehicle retrofitted with a transponder key system. This change will make your vehicle less likely to be stolen by auto thieves. The retrofit is not inexpensive, but may increase your peace of mind. To learn more about a transponder key or to get a replacement, contact a qualified...

If you are moving into a new home that sat vacant for weeks or months and you’re worried about safety, there are some things you should do as soon as you take possession of the house. You don’t want to worry if someone has been inside while the house was empty or if someone who has been there plans on returning. Thieves may be looking for anything from copper piping to cabinet doors. You want to call a locksmith and talk with them about the following changes, so you can walk into your house with confidence. Change the Locks The previous owners of the home could have given the keys to many different people that they knew, so it’s hard to tell how many people have a copy. A locksmith can come to the house to change the handles and locks and to add deadbolts to the doors that need them. This is a preventative measure that will pay off if someone tries to get into the house with their old key. Add Locks to the Windows If someone was in the house and knew that they could crawl through the window and get in easily or has been watching the house sit vacant, they may be coming in and out. It’s important to add locks to the windows to make sure people can’t get in and out when you’re moving your stuff in or after you are living their full time. Motion Lighting Motion lighting around the property is going to alert an intruder that someone may be aware of their presence when you are home or away, and it can get your attention at night. It can also draw the attention of the neighbors. Get the lighting around all corners of the home and garage, especially in areas where thieves will target like the main door of a garage. If the house doesn’t already have a security system, get one installed. If there is an existing one, then make sure it’s updated and works properly. You don’t know how many people have been watching the home if it sat vacant for a while, no matter what type of neighborhood it’s in. Talk with the locksmith from a company like LI Locksmiths Inc to find out what other things you can do to help protect your property while you move in, and to make sure that you don’t have any break-in problems in the...

If you want extra security on an exterior door, consider installing a night latch. A night latch installs on the inner face of the door, and is easier to mount than a deadbolt lock. The night latch locks come in single models that lock from the inside only or double action, which lock from inside and outside. Here are some tips to install a night latch. Prepare to Work For this project, you need: safety glasses work gloves pencil masking tape tape measure framing nail and hammer or awl cordless/power drill with screw tip attachment coping saw or hammer and chisel, pliers hacksaw night latch kit Choose a comfortable height to install the lock, and mark it with pencil. The typical height for installing a night latch is 48 inches from the floor, but you don’t have to follow any set rules. Tape the template from the kit to the door, lining up the crease with the crease in the door edge. Drill the Hole Check the instructions to determine the diameter of the hole to drill for the lock, which is commonly 1¼ inches. Wearing safety glasses and work gloves, drill the hole from both sides of the door to keep wood from splitting. Don’t angle the drill. Drilling key holes at an angle makes the keys and knobs too tight. Cut starter dimples for screws with the awl, or hammer and framing nail, using the screw graphics in the template as a guide, then detach the template. You may need to shorten the length of screws with a hacksaw based on thickness of the door. Mount the Lock and Strike Plate Push the shank of the latch back into the body by twisting the knob. Insert the latch in the hole, and align it with the screw dimples on the door. Drive the screws in with the drill bit, making them secure, but not too tight. Place the strike plate on the interior face of the door jamb, or on the outer edge of the jamb based on design of the lock. Twist the knob to extend the shank, close the door, and mark pilot holes for the screws where the top and bottom of the shank come into contact with the jamb. Lay the strike plate aside, open the door, and drill 1/8 inch holes in the jamb. Alternatively, cut the screw holes with a coping saw or hammer and chisel. Fasten the strike plate in the pilot holes with the screws. Test the night latch to ensure it works correctly. If it doesn’t work correctly, or you need...

If you are worried about locking yourself out of the house, you might want to consider various places around the outside of your home where you can hide a spare key. With the following suggestions in mind, you should have no trouble finding the perfect place. Under The House Siding Does your house have vinyl siding that has a small opening along the side? If there is enough of an opening where you can slide a single house key in, you will want to make use of that. To help make sure that you are not losing your house key behind the siding, attach a strong piece of clear packing tape to the key before sliding it behind the siding. Then, the other end of the tape will attach to the siding. Since it is clear, no one will notice it but you will be able to retrieve the key without any problems. In The Bird Feeder To make sure that the birds do not accidentally kick the key to the ground or take off with it, you will want to secure it in place with a piece of packing or duct tape. Empty the bird feeder before doing this so that you can place it right on the bottom of the interior of the feeder. Then you will want to refill the container with some tasty seeds for the neighborhood birds. Just make sure that you are keeping an eye on the level of the feed. You do not want it to run out of seeds, because then your key may be easily visible to anyone walking by. Under The Potting Soil Whether you want to hide the key in your flower garden or in the soil within a planter, you need to first place it in a sealed plastic bag that you have pushed all of the air out of before closing. The plastic bag will protect the key from exposure to water, which could quickly cause the key to rust. Then you will want to dig a small holes in the soil and make sure that there is a good amount of soil covering the top of the key. To help you remember the exact location of the key, you might want to place a special rocks or garden decoration over the top of it. Now, with those three suggestions in mind, you should have little trouble finding the best spot to hide your spare house key so that you will never have to fear becoming locked out of your house again. For professional locksmith help,...

House Key Safety

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How many copies of keys do you have for your house? How many times have your house keys been lost? Do you have any idea where you lost those keys? When you have too many copies of your house keys floating around, your family and your home are put at greater risk of a home burglary. So, what do you do when you lose a key? What can you do to prevent it from happening again? Visit our blog to learn about house key safety and to find out what you must do to ensure that your home is secure when you lock the doors.